The National Stadium was painted with the red and black colours of Hamrun Spartans as the newly-crowned Malta champions kickstarted their title party following a 1-1 draw against Hibernians.

 

The match had little significance for the Spartans in terms of result as they had already attained mathematical certainty of a second successful title after they dismantled their nearest rivals Floriana 5-0 the previous weekend.

 

But still, they were keen on putting on a strong showing and they did have a perfect start when Jonny put them ahead after five minutes.

 

Hibs were not demoralised and restored parity just before the break through Rodni Antwi.

 

After the break, Hibs were more motivated to go on for the win in a bid to leapfrog Birkirkara in fifth place but in the end, the stalemate prevailed.

 

However, the best was yet to come for the Spartans and after the final whistle club captain Steve Borg was presented with the league trophy by MFA president Bjorn Vassallo to kickstart the Spartans title party.

 

Hamrun Spartans coach Luciano Zauri decided to make two changes in his starting formation as Montenegrin forward Uros Duranovic was preferred to Luke Montebello, the current Premier League top scorer, who had to settle for a place on the bench while Ognjen Bjelicic was drafted in the three-man defence at the expense of Eder.

 

Hibernians, on their part, under the charge of Branko Nisevic, who incidentally last year had led the Spartans to the Premier League title, made one change to their starting formation as Robert Bairam was preferred to Jurgen Degabriele.

 

The match was played in front of a party atmosphere as hundreds of Hamrun Spartans fans thronged the Enclosure stand to celebrate their team’s latest achievement.

 

Jonny puts Hamrun Spartans ahead against Hibernians.

 

And the Spartans fans quickly had good reason to celebrate as after five minutes of play Hamrun were already in front.

 

Roko Prsa sent Ryan Camenzuli clear on the left and the Malta wing back immediately sent a low cross inside the area. The Hibernians defenders failed to clear and in came Jonny who blasted the ball past Hibs goalkeeper Hugo Sacco and into the roof of the net.

 

The Spartans were now in ascendancy and on 14 minutes they came close to double their lead.

 

Roko Prsa broke inside the area but was dispossessed by Ferdinando Apap with the ball falling into the path of Jonny who saw his shot deflected into the sidenetting.

 

On 24 minutes, Hibernians defender Hugo Alves Fernandes almost presented the Spartans with the second goal on a plate when his clearance went straight into the feet of Duranovic but the Montenegrin forward shot straight into the hands of Sacco.

 

Hibernians finally threatened on 31 minutes when from a Giannis Bastianos free-kick, Ferdinando Apap rose above his marker but headed wide.

 

The Paolites did manage to equalise five minutes from the break.

 

The hard-working Bonanni sent a dipping pass into the path of Rodni Antwi who chipped the ball past Federico Marchetti.

 

The Spartans tried to respond immediately and they came close to restore their lead a minute later when Jonny saw his low shot blocked by Sacco.

 

After the break, Zauri withdrew Bjelicic and roped in Eder in a bid to add more dynamism to his midfield.

 

The Brazilian midfielder almost made an instant impact when he stormed inside the area but was thwarted by a providential tackle by Ferdinando Apap.

 

Hibernians were not ready to let the Spartans have it all their way and in these early stages, they pressed hard their opponents as they were keen to bag all three points.

 

On 67 minutes, Bairam picked Antwi who headed wide.

 

Hamrun Spartans fans in full voice at the National Stadium. Video: Matthew Mirabelli
Bastianos had a glorious chance to put Hibs ahead when the Greek forward was left unmarked but headed incredibly wide from a Kurt Shaw cross.

 

Hamrun finally threatened on 75 minutes with a typical transition play initiated by Joseph Mbong who sped through and released Paintsil but his shot was blocked by Sacco.

 

As the match entered the final quarter, it started to lose much of its intensity with the Spartans happy to administer their advantage while Hibs tried to pounce in a bid to clinch the winner.

 

Sportdesk – Valhmor Camilleri